Hydraulic cylinder construction and mounting arrangement



Feb. 5, 1952 CROSS 2,584,428

HYDRAULIC CYLINDER CONSTRUCTION AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT Filed June 27, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l 5f Z45; 4ZJ 44 INVENTOR. a! El aks. E 5

Maw-WE Feb. 5, 1952 CROSS 2,584,428

HYDRAULIC CYLINDER CONSTRUCTION AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT Patented Feb. 5, 1952 OFFICE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER CONSTRUCTION AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT RaI'ph E. Cross,.Gross'e'Pointe Shores, Mich. Application June 27, 195 0, -seriai -No.17o,50s:

7 1401mm. l-

This invention relates broadly to hydraulic cylinder mountings.

; More particularly the invention is concerned with ahydraulic cylinder mounting adapted to bewincorporated in a machine tool of the type having a base provided with laterally spaced parallel ways so as to actuate asaddle slidable on the ways.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel hydraulic cylinder construction and mounting arrangement which, when mounted in a machine tool, occupies a minimum amount of space and thus reduces the distance between the centerline of the cylinder and the way surfaces to minimize the mechanical couple existing in the bracket which connects the cylinder to the saddle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel cylinder construction and mounting. arrangement of the above-mentioned character wherein'the. cylinder assembly is mounted in a bore between the ways so as to assure a more rigid and accurate wayconstruction.

Still another-object of the invention is to provide anovel cylinder construction and mounting arrangement of the. above-mentioned character wherein the cylinder assembly is removable as a unit for replacement or repair of parts without removingthe saddle from the base.

Another object of the invention is 'to provide a cylinder construction and mounting arrangement of the above-mentioned character having novel means for supplying. hydraulic'liquid to the cylinder which eliminates piping and attendant threaded connection conventionally employed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during'the course of the following description.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

particularly the 1 mannerin' which the cylinder 2 assembly'is removable as aunit from the base and the manner in which the hydraulic liquid is supplied to the base.

In the" drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration-is shown a preferred embodiment of I the invention, the numeral ld-designates a machine tool base of generally conventional construction having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinal, parallel ways I2 and i4. Surmounting the base !0 is a saddle lt having runners l8 and 2a mounted on and longitudinally slidable along ways i2? and Hi respectively. Retaining strips 22 and 24 carried by the saddle l6 extend under the ways i2 and it according to conventional practice to hold the saddle on the base ill. Bolted or otherwise detachedly fastened to the forward end of the saddle ltis a depending bracket it which travels in a longitudinal groove or way 28 provided in the base E0. The bracket-28 is adapted for attachment to an actuator for moving the saddle l6 back and forth on the base Ill.

In-conventional practice, the base 50 is formed between the ways !2 and it with an elongated hollow trough in which a fluid motor is mounted for connection with the'bracket 25. This, construction-has the disadvantage, however, that the fluid motor is rendered inaccessible by the saddle sothat the latter must be disassembled from the base H3 in order to remove the motor for replacement or repair of parts. Thus servicing of the-fluid motor is a major operation requiring dismantling of substantially the entire machine. As a'consequence; maintenance costs are high, and the machine is out of service for an inordinate length of time. In addition to the above, the conventional construction requires that-the ways be relatively high in order to provide proper clearance for the fluid motor. As a consequence the ways exhibit a tendency to spread under load so as to bind or otherwise adversely affect movement of the saddle it. Also, the excessive height of the ways requires that the bracket" 26 be relatively long so that the mechanical couple between the fluid motor and thesaddle is correspondingly large.

' According to the present invention the fluid motor is uniquely constructed and mounted on the 'ba'selfi so asto be removable as a unit from one end of the-base without removing the saddle [6. The fluid motor assembly is associated with the base so as to strengthen and reinforce the 3 vented and the mechanical couple in bracket 26 is reduced as much as possible.

To this end, the base it is formed with a generally cylindrical shell 39 which extends longitudinally thereof and is located substantially mid way between and parallel to the ways I2 and i l. The shell 30 is integrally connected to the ways 12 and M by vertical transverse webs 32 at the ends thereof and by atransverse web 34 which extends horizontally between the shell and the ways. This construction provides a horizontal, longitudinal bore 33 in the body H! which opens through the rearward end 38 of the base if! and is adapted to receive the fluid motor which opere ates the saddle it. The bore is provided at opposite ends thereof with finished cylindrical internal surfaces 553 which provide supporting bearings for the cylindrical shell of the motor. 7 g

The fluid motor here shown is in the form of an elongated cylinder and comprises a cylindrical wall 42 closed at the forward end by a cylinder head 45 and at the rearward end thereof by a cylinder cap 56. Preferably the cylindrical wall portion 42 is kept to a minimum diameter and the wall is of only sufficient thickness to retain the pressure of fluid therein. The cylinder head 44 has an external radial flange 4B which abuts the forward end of the wall 42 and is fastened thereto by an annular series of screws 56. Also, the cylinder head Mi is formed with a central embossment 52 which extends into and snugly fits the cylindrical wall 52 to serve as a retainer for an ring 54 which seals the joint between the head 44 and the wall 42. As perhaps best shown in Fig. 3, the cylindrical wall 42 extends flush with the rearward end 38 of housing Ii], and the cap 66 extends laterally across and in abutting engagement with both the end of the cylinder wall and the housing ill. Screws 56 hold the cap 44 attached to the cylindrical wall 42. Also, the cap 46 is similarly formed with a central embossment 58 which extends into the cylindrical wall 42 and forms a retainer for an 0 ring 60 which seals the joint between the Wall and the cap. Within the cylindrical wall 52 is a piston 62 having a piston rod 64 which extends forwardly through the cylinder head 64 for attachment to the bracket 26. The head M is provided with the usual stufiing box assembly 66 which seals the joint between the head 44 and piston rod 64 without preventing longitudinal sliding movement of the rod.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the fluid motor can be inserted into the bore 36 through the open rearward or outer end thereof. At opposite ends thereof the cylindrical wall 42 is formed with finished external surfaces 68 which snugly fit the internal machined surfaces All of the bore 36. Also, the cylinder head 44 is formed with a forward radial flange H1, and the peripheral surfaces of both flanges 4'8 and are machined to snugly fit the forward internal surface 40. A ring 12 mounted on the cylinder head 44 ahead of flange 10 seats rearwardly against the flange and abuts an internal radial shoulder 14 provided at the inner end of bore 36. Thus,

of piston rod 64 is attached to bracket 26 by a.

' screw 18.

It will thus be apparent that the relatively large screws I6 hold pressure developed in the cylinder 42 during operation of the motor. Small screws 50 and 56 need be only large enough to hold the parts of the motor assembled. They are not of sumcient size to resist the internal forces of the cylinder. Thus, forward thrust against the head 44 is taken by the internal shoulder 14 of the base casting, and rearward thrust against the cap 45 is taken by large retaining screws 16 which engage the base casting. This construction permits the external diameter of cylinder 42 to be held to a minimum and permits the vertical dimension between the centerline of the fluid motor and the top of ways 12 and M' to be held to a minimum. As a result, the mechanical couple in bracket 26 also is held to a minimum. If the cylinder 42 were made large enough to receive bolts of a size to withstand internal forces created within the cylinder, the external diameter of the cylinder would have to be considerably larger and the recited advantages achieved by the instant construction would be lost.

in addition to the above, a novel meansis provided for supplying fluid to the cylinder at opposite sides of piston 62, which meanseliminates conventional piping and threaded connections heretofore employed. According to. the present invention, a manifold is bolted or otherwise fastened to one side of the base. Ill. As perhaps best shown in Fig. 1, the manifold Bil is relatively elongated and it extends longi-. tudinally on the base with one end thereof abutting a portion 82 of the cylinder cap .46 which projects laterally of the base 9., Fluid under pressure is delivered to manifold 80 in any suitable manner and, if necessary or desir-, able, it may be equipped with the usualmeter ing valves for controlling the rate of flow of the fluid through the manifold. In any event, he manifold 80 is provided witha passage 84 which registers with and delivers hydraulic fluid to one end of a U-shaped passage 86 in the cap 'The other end of passage 86 opens into the cylinder behind piston 62. Also, the manifold Ed is provided with a passage 88 for. delivering fluid to the cylinder ahead ofpiston 86. To this end a hydraulic connector 90 is mounted on the manifold 8% adjacent the forwardend thereof for conducting hydraulic liquid from the passage 38 to the fluid motor. More particularly the connector 90 has a generally rectangular head portion 532 which is held solidly against themanifold 80 by screws 94. Integrally formed on the head portion 552 is a lateral cylindrical extension Qt which extends through registering openings provided in the manifold 80, base It, and cylinder head all. A generally U-shaped passage 98 is provided in the connector 90. One end of the passage 98 registers with the manifold passage 28. The other end of passage 98 extends through the cylindrical extension 96 and opens into the fluid motor through the head M, as shown in Fig. 2. An 0 ring IUD seals the joint between the connector and the manifold, and an O ring Hi2 seals the joint between the cylindrical extension 98 and the cylinder head 44.

In order to disassemble the fluid motor. it is merely necessary to remove the four screws 16 which fasten the cylinder cap 46 to the base it, the screw 18 which fastensthe piston rod to the bracket .26, and the twoscrews 94$ which;

fasten the hydraulic connector 90 to the base. The connector can then be pulled outwardly to disengage cylindrical portion 96 from the cylinder head M and the fluid motor as a unit can be pulled from the open rearward end of bore 3% for servicing or for other reasons. Manithereof to the position shown in the drawing,

and the hydraulic connector 98 is interengaged with the head id. The cap 58 and the connector 56 are then bolted securely in place, and piston rod fastened to the bracket 26. This completes assembly and also establishes the hydraulic circuit whichservices the motor.

Having thus described the invention, I claim: 1. A cylinder mounting arrangement for actuating machine tool saddles comprising a machine tool base having a longitudinal bore, a saddle slidable on said base, a cylinder supported If this is done the machine need be 7 at opposite ends thereof in said bore, closures for the ends of the cylinder, one of said closures extending laterally of the cylinder and being fastened solidly to the base, an internal axial seat in the bore for the other of said closures, a piston mounted for reciprocation in said cylinder, a a

piston rod connected to and movable with said piston extending exteriorly of said cylinder and connected to said saddle, means for introducing hydraulic liquid into the cylinder at one side of the piston through one of saidclosures, and means for introducing hydraulic liquid into the cylinder at the other side of the piston through the other of said closures including a hydraulic connector member having an outer head portion connected to the base and an inward extension disposed in interlocking engagement with said other closure.

2. In amachine tool, a base having a longitudinal bore therein, a saddle mounted for reciprocation on said base, a fluid motor having a cylinder removably mounted in said bore, a piston mounted for reciprocation in the cylinder and a piston rod attached'to the saddle, means fastening one end of the cylinder to the base, a hydraulic connector fastened to the base and interlocking with the other end of the cylinder preventing withdrawal thereof from the bore, and means for introducing hydraulic liquid into the cylinder at opposite sides of the piston through said fastening means and said hydraulic connector.

3. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools of the type having a base provided with laterally spaced, parallel, upstanding ways and a saddle slidable on said ways comprising elongated cylindrical shell disposed between and parallel to said ways, transverse webs connecting said shell to said ways and co-operating with said shell to prevent spreading of the ways under load, and a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit from one end of the shell, said fluid motor assembly including a piston rod operatively connected to said saddle.

4. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine fluid motor to said base with the inner end thereof tools of the type-having a base provided with laterally spaced, upstanding ways and a saddle slidable on said ways comprising an elongated cylindrical shell disposed between and parallel to said. ways and opening through one end of the base, transverse webs connecting said shell to said ways and co-operating with said shell to prevent spreading of the ways under load, and a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit from the open end of the shell, said fluid motor assembly including means detachably connecting the assembly to the base at the open end of the shell and means detachably connecting the piston rod of the assembly to the saddle.

5. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools oi the type having a, base provided with laterally spaced, parallel, upstanding ways and a saddle slidable on said ways, comprising an elongated, cylindrical shel1 disposed between and parallel to said ways, finished internal bearing surfaces at opposite ends of said shell, transve integral webs between said shell and ways and interconnecting'the ways to prevent spreading thereof under load, and. a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit from one end of the shell, said fluid motor assembly including an outer cylinder member having finished external cylindrical surfaces snugly fitting the finished internal surfaces of the shell, and a piston rod extending from the cylinder and detachably fastened to said saddle.

6. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine 0 5 Of the yp having a base provided with lat erally spaced, parallel, upstanding ways and saddle slidable on said ways comprising an elongated cylindrical shell disposed between and parallel to said ways, transverse'webs connecting said shell to said ways and co-operating with said shell to prevent spreading of the ways under load. a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit from one end of the shell, said assembly including an outer cylinder member and a piston rod extending from the cylinder member, a radial shoulder seating the inner end of the cylinder, means detachably fastening the other end of the cylinder to said base and holding the inner end thereof solidly engaged with said seat, and means detachably fastening the piston rod to said saddle. Y

'7. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools of the type having a base provided with laterally spaced, parallel, upstanding ways and a saddle slidable on said ways comprising an elon gated cylindrical shell disposed between and parallel to said ways and opening through one end of the base, transverse webs connecting said shell to said ways and co-operating with said shell to prevent spreading of the ways under load, internal shoulder at the inner end of said shell, a fluid motor assembly in the shell engagingselidly against said shoulder and removable as a unit from the open end of the shell, means operatively and detachably connecting said. fluid motor to said saddle, and means detachably fastening said pressed solidly against said shoulder.

8. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools of the type having a base provided with laterally spaced, parallel, upstanding ways and a saddle slidable on said ways comprising an elongated cylindrical shell disposed between and parallel to said Ways and opening through one end of the base, an internal shoulder at the inner end of said shell, a. fluid motor assembly in the shell engaging solidly against said shoulder and removable as a unit from the open end of the shell, means operatively and detachably connecting said fluid motor to said saddle, and means detachably fastening said fluid motor to said base with the inner end thereof pressed solidly against said shoulder.

9. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools of the type having a base provided with laterally spaced, parallel, upstanding ways and a saddle slidable on said ways comprising an elongated cylindrical shell disposed between and parallel to said ways, a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit from one end of said shell, an internal shoulder in the shell seating one end of the fluid motor assembly, and a, cylinder cap at the opposite end of the fluid motor assembly, said cap having laterally extending flange portions disposed externally of and detachably connected to the base, and means detachably operatively connecting said fluid motor assembly to the saddle so that operation of said assembly moves the saddle on said ways.

10. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools comprising a base provided with laterally spaced, parallel, upstanding ways, a saddle slidable on said ways, an elongated cylindrical shell disposed between and parallel to said ways, a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit from one end of the shell, said fluid motor assembly including an outer cylinder member and a piston rod extending from the inner end of the cylinder, a fixed radial shoulder in the shell seating the inner end of the cylinder, a cylinder cap fastened to and closing the outer end of the cylinder, said cap seated against the end of the cylinder to which it is fastened and extending laterally of the cylinder, means detachably fastening the laterally extending portion of the cap solidily to the base whereby said fastening means resists internal pressures in the cylinder and holds the latter solidly assembled in the shell, and -means detachably fastening the piston rod to said saddle.

11. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools of the type having a base provided with laterally spaced, parallel ways and a saddle slidable on said ways comprising a longitudinal bore between and parallel to said ways and opening at one end thereof exteriorly of the base, an internal radial shoulder at the inner end of the bore, a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit from the open end of the bore, said assembly ineluding an outer cylinder portion seating endwise against said shoulder and a piston rod operatively connected to said saddle, and a cylinder cap on and fastened to the outer end of the cylinder, said cap extending laterally of the cylinder and detachably fastened to said base.

12. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools comprising a baseprovided with laterally spaced, parallel ways, a saddle slidable on said ways, a longitudinal bore between and parallel to said ways opening through the base at one end thereof, internal cylindrical, finished surfaces at opposite ends of said bore, an internal shoulder at the inner end of said bore, a depending bracket on the saddle behind the inner end of said bore, a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit through the open end of the bore, said assembly including a cylinder having finished external cylindrical surfaces flttingsnugly in the finished internal surfaces of the bore and seating endwise against said internal shoulder, said assembly also including a piston rod detachably connected to said bracket, a cylinder cap fastened to and closing the outer end of the cylinder, said cap having laterally extending portions, the latter bein solidly fastened to the base whereby to hold said cylinder solidly against the shoulder and to sustain internal forces developed during operation of the motor.

13. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools of the type having a base provided with laterally spaced, parallel ways and a saddle slidable on said ways, a longitudinal bore in the base between and parallel'to said ways, a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit from one end of the bore detachably and operatively connected to said saddle so that operation of said motor moves the saddle longitudinally on said ways, means detachably fastening said fluid motor assembly to said base, and means for delivering hydraulic liquid to said fluid motor assembly including a hydraulic connector detachably fastened to the base and having a tubular portion extending into the base for delivering fluid to said fluid motor.

14. A hydraulic cylinder mounting for machine tools comprising a base provided with laterally spaced, parallel ways, a saddle slidable on said ways, a longitudinal bore between and parallel to said ways having an end opening exteriorly of the base, an internal shoulder at the inner end of said bore, a fluid motor assembly in and removable as a unit through the open end of said bore, said assembly including a cylinder portion seating endwise against said shoulder, a piston rod operatively detachably fastened to said saddle, and a cylinder cap at the outer end of said cylinder overlying and detachably fastened to said base, and means for delivering hydraulic liquid to opposite ends of said cylinder including fluid passages in said cylinder cap communicating interiorly of said cylinder, and a hydraulic connector detachably fastened to the base, said 0011- nector having a tubular portion extending into the base and through a wall of said cylinder, the interior of said tubular portion comprising a fluid passage and said passage opening interiorly of the cylinder.

RALPH E. CROSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,483,430 Greensmith Feb. 12, 1924 1,905,127 Belden et a1 Apr. 25, 1933 1,938,772 Ernst et a1 Dec. 12, 1933 2,360,462 Arms Oct. 17, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 750,129 France May 22, 1933 

